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During the Year End Blessing Ceremony and Volunteer Certification Ceremony, I saw Tzu Chi volunteers from more than 20 countries and regions returned. Some are thousands of miles apart, yet they went to great lengths, spending over 50 hours on planes and transiting through three different countries to come to Taiwan just to meet each other and strengthen their bond. Some of them spoke different languages, but when they shared their warm stories, I saw their expressions and voices on the stage. Although I did not understand what they said, I was very happy because they had love in their hearts and chose the right path. I believe they are the happiest and most blessed people.
When I was conferring the certificate, every time a Bodhisattva walked past me, I would always say to them, "Bless you and may you keep making good progress!" Every time I see a Tzu Chi volunteer, my heart is always full of gratitude towards them. There are so many people suffering in the world, how can one person help them all? So, I am always very grateful towards the Tzu Chi volunteers. Affinities in life bring you and I together. When you come to me, you will be closed to my heart, regardless of religion or nationality, we share a common mission, to contribute to the needs of the world and to help more people in need together.
Senior Tzu Chings came to me and said, "Master, your children are back." It was so heart-warming to hear such words! I am also a child of the Buddha, carrying on the Buddha's mission, spreading selfless love and alleviating the suffering of the world.
More than 2,500 years ago, the Buddha came to the world. He was a prince and the heir of a kingdom. However, when he saw the suffering of the people outside the city, which was completely different from his life in the palace, he decided to give up the throne and pursue the truth. After gaining enlightenment, he also hoped that everyone has the correct realisation, understand the source and value of life, understand the cause, the condition, the effect and the retribution as well as knowing how to develop wisdom and accumulate merits for the next lifetime.
The Buddha has given the world abundant wisdom and I have always been thinking about how to repay Buddha’s kindness. When Tzu Chi volunteers from Singapore and Malaysia found out about my wish to give back to Buddha’s homeland, groups after groups of volunteer have been travelling to poor villages in Nepal and India to help the poor, provide free medical services, build Da Ai villages, organise vocational training and build schools over the past few years. I am grateful to all these groups of Bodhisattvas for their great vows and coming together to create blessings in the Buddha’s homeland.
Whenever I think of the lives of poor people in poor countries, I feel distressed. In arid areas, not even a blade of grass can grow, let alone grow grains. Humans need water, and when they try to obtain it, they may not only encounter animals along the way that could harm them, but the water they find is often polluted as well. Tino Chu, a Buddhist in Zimbabwe, has built and repaired more than 2,000 wells since 2013. He also provides lunch from Monday to Saturday and about 17,000 people who rely on this meal every day. I often wondered how he managed to persevere over the past 10 or 20 years. How many people have the affinities with us and how many of them can get access to free rice? And how many suffering people are there whom we don’t see and can’t give to?
Every night when I watch the international news, I see countless cases of climate change and natural disasters that have pushed many countries into critical crises. People’s hearts are unsettled and divided, as conflicts erupt everywhere, over everything. As a result, living a life with peace of mind becomes increasingly difficult. Sentient beings are suffering greatly. It deeply saddens and pains me to witness all of these happening. Why are there such vast differences between people and so much fighting among them? Without peace, even great wealth is worthless.
The Earth is prosperous and full of vitality, with more than enough grains to supply all of humanity. As long as there is love in people's hearts, as they constantly encourage and bless one another, and remain open-minded and tolerant without barriers, the world will become a paradise, a pure land.
Over 50 years ago, when Tzu Chi was newly established, it was very difficult and arduous. However, I always thought since it was my own aspiration, I encouraged myself to persevere. Gradually, everyone heard the voice of my soul. Upon seeing the meaningful good deeds, they all came and helped. The tiny "firefly" emitted a faint light, like a signal, gathered in-group, flashing in the dark and became the most beautiful thing in the world.
Every Tzu Chi volunteer comes from a unique family background, career, and occupation. Each has their own way of living, but they all follow the same teachings of the Buddha. They do not live in confusion or ignorance by blindly following society's trends. Instead, they have clear goals and directions, support and cherish one another, and work together to save all sentient beings while guiding others to walk the Bodhisattva Path.
I took a moment to reflect on myself by asking, "What is my purpose in coming into this world?" I tell everyone, "It is valuable!" My first thought is love and kindness. When the heart of great love is present and the direction of kindness is clear, I have no regrets along the way. The message I share is the same every day because the direction was set from the beginning, and there has been no deviation since.
Buddha’s great love is everywhere in the universe and my vows and aspirations are endless as well. If I cannot accomplish them in this lifetime, I will accomplish it in my next life. However, if I am too lonely in my next life, no matter how great my aspirations are, I will not be able to accomplish anything. Thus, I must form good karmic connections with everyone in every lifetime. The fact that you volunteer in Tzu Chi in this lifetime, I am sure that you and I will continue to volunteer for Tzu Chi in the next lifetime as well.
One person cannot accomplish everything, so don't worry about not having enough strength. When we pool everyone’s strength together, the power will be great, and nothing is impossible. Those who are willing to extend a helping hand to others are the happiest people, and those who create blessings for others are the most blessed.
Translated by Michelle Lim Cheng Wai
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